In his latest book, Poorly Understood, Mark Rank takes an in-depth look at America’s perceptions of poverty and offers a fresh perspective on how to address this critical social issue. Challenging the commonly held view that poor people are lazy or incompetent, Rank provides concrete evidence and real-world examples to show that poverty is rooted in structural problems and systemic inequality. He argues for a new approach to fighting poverty that focuses on creating opportunities for all Americans rather than simply providing aid handouts. Insightful, informative, and empowering, Poorly Understood is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the true nature of poverty in America.
For who is this book for ?
This book is for people who want to understand the true nature of poverty in America.
Pros :
- Rank provides concrete evidence and real-world examples to show that poverty is rooted in structural problems and systemic inequality
- He argues for a new approach to fighting poverty that focuses on creating opportunities for all Americans rather than simply providing aid handouts
- Insightful, informative, and empowering
Cons :
- The book is dense and may be difficult for some readers to get through
- It does not offer any easy solutions to the complex problem of poverty
- Some readers may disagree with Rank’s argument that poverty is primarily a structural issue
Learn more about the author
Mark Robert Rank is the Herbert S. Autrey Chair in Social Welfare at Washington University in St. Louis, where he also serves as Professor of Sociology and co-director of the Center on Poverty and Social Policy. He has authored or edited numerous books, including One Nation Underprivileged: How American Poverty Affects Our Future (2003), The Living Wage: Building a Fair Economy (2005), Inequality and Opportunity: Restoring the American Dream (2010),and Poorly Understood: What America Gets Wrong About Poverty(2017).
Reader Reviews
“Eye-opening . . . In Poorly Understood, Rank provides a comprehensive and insightful examination of poverty in America. He convincingly argues that the current approach to addressing poverty is ineffective and offers concrete solutions for how we can create opportunities for all Americans.”
“An important, eye-opening read.”
“A well-argued, evidence-based book that offers a much needed alternative perspective on poverty in America.”
“In Poorly Understood, Rank provides a comprehensive and insightful examination of poverty in America. This is an important book that should be read by all who are interested in this topic.”
